Three Generations of Red Cross Blood Donors

July 27, 2015

Blood and platelet donors are needed every day to help those who may be spending time this summer in the hospital as opposed to participating in fun, seasonal activities. The American Red Cross urges individuals to remember these patients when making their summer to-do lists, and schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets.

FAMILY LEGACY OF HELPING SAVE LIVES The McMahon family, of Vineland, New Jersey, is showing that giving blood is in their blood. Their family legacy of helping save lives through blood donation now spans three generations. Ron, his son, Scott, and grandson, Ryan, are all regular Red Cross blood donors. All three recently rolled up their sleeves together for the first time at the Vineland Rotary Club blood drive.

Ron, 81, has donated blood 174 times, and his son, Scott, 54, has donated 69 times. Following in his father and grandfather’s footsteps by serving others, Ryan, 17, recently made his third blood donation.

“It feels good to give back, said Scott McMahon. “You just never know when you may need a blood transfusion and then you will be grateful that someone else stepped up to help.”

DONORS NEEDED NOW All eligible donors are encouraged to make and keep donation appointments this month to help restock the shelves to ensure an adequate blood supply for patients all summer long. Blood and platelet donations often decline during the summer when schools are out of session and regular donors are on vacation. Donors of all blood types are currently needed, especially those with types AB, O negative, B negative and A negative blood. Platelet donors are also needed.

MAKE DONATING A FAMILY AFFAIR Helping save lives can be twice as nice when donating with someone special. Like the McMahon family, eligible donors are encouraged to make donating blood a family affair. Individuals can invite a family member, friend or co-worker to roll up a sleeve alongside them to make the experience of helping save lives even more meaningful.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given every seven days – up to 24 times a year. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in most states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org. Donors can also use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, which is free and available for download now. It can be found in app stores by searching for American Red Cross, visiting redcross.org/apps or redcrossblood.org/bloodapp, or by texting BLOODAPP to 90999 for a direct link to download. Message and data rates for texting may apply.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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